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A Friend, a Treasure

Behold, how good and how pleasant it for brothers to

dwell together in unity!

Psalm 133:1

Normally when I sit down at my computer to write, I have thoughts in mind, or at the very least an idea or two. Today, however, I was a bit stumped until I went to the mail box and opened a letter from a dear friend.

This letter is one of reflection from a friend I had lost track of for a while. Marjorie wrote a poignant letter reflecting on the past year with all of its joys and sorrows. It’s one of those letters many write to friends and family in order to catch them up on their lives; a year in review, if you will.

Marjorie and I became fast friends about 5 years ago when I first moved to Indiana. We met during a Bible study I had been invited to attend. We hit it off quickly and began a friendship I was ever so thankful for, especially since I had moved away from most other friends. Marjorie was one of the first new people I met who went out of her way to make me feel welcome.

Nearly four years ago, I met and married the man of my dreams and moved about an hour away. Marjorie and I stayed in touch, but had a difficult time getting together with our differing schedules. We did our best to stay connected via e-mail, but after a while even e-mail began to dwindle.

A few months ago, Marjorie sent a mass e-mail requesting prayer for her husband, who had received some very bad medical news. I was shocked at the message, but also humbled and thankful that Marjorie would include me with others she trusted with this very personal news. This unfortunate circumstance is what has brought Marjorie and me back into fellowship and friendship, as well as the inspiration for this writing.

“Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.” Romans 12:10

I’ve always been the kind of person that cherishes friendships. The friendships that are sewn together with the kind of love only God can supply are the ones I cling to the most. When one of those friendships is lost or broken, my heart also feels broken.

Have you ever lost a friendship and for the life of you, have no idea why? Are we really too busy to keep in touch? Do we become selfish, have issues, and lose sight of grace? Do we get so busy with other aspects of life that we forget about the very precious gift of friendship? I know I do sometimes. I am now, however, committed to making amends and reconnecting with lost friends.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been trying to reconnect with old friends via Facebook. It’s been fun looking up and finding people I used to know quite well. At some point in our lives, we were considered acquaintances or even friends, but for reasons that are not important now, we lost contact.

In honor of my friend Marjorie and the gift of reconnection, I’d like to send out a challenge. If you are touched by these thoughts at all, please take a few moments to make a note of people you have lost contact with that you would love to have back in your world. Then, find a way to get back in touch. You may even owe that person an apology for being the one who dropped out of sight. Whatever the situation is, send an e-mail, a text message, a hand written note, or pick up the phone and call. Seriously, do it! I have no doubt you will be glad you did.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1

I am happy to report that Marjorie’s husband is in remission and feeling full of life and energy! The whole family is thankful to our Lord and Savior for His love, grace, and healing. Yay God!!

Father God, thank You so much for the gift of friends. Thank You for placing people in our lives who start out as strangers and become family. Help me to be a good friend to those you have blessed me with and to show Your love and grace at every turn. I love You so very much! In the precious name of our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Any thoughts? If you have something on your heart that you feel comfortable sharing in a public forum, then please share by clicking the comment link below.

I’d love to hear from you. ☺

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In His embrace,

Toni

Thank you for sharing, liking and as always for your thoughts.

6 comments to A Friend, a Treasure

January 13, 2012 at 12:16 pm

Marjoriesays:

Toni:
I was sincerely humbled by this writing (as I am all that you have written). I’d just like to let those reading this know that the power of prayer was one of the most important gifts we could have been given. There is no doubt that medicine certainly played a role in my husband’s good news, but everything….everything comes through God. I believe it was through this power, we were able to look at this objectively. We came to find out over the months that illness does not discriminate, and there are many individuals with their own trials and tribulations. It’s given me more appreciation when I am driving….when I get upset with “stupid” drivers, I really try to begin praying for them because they may have a burden they are carrying too. I’m not always successful, but I’ve learned even more compassion.
Toni, thank you for your kind words. It meant alot to me and to my husband.
God Bless,
Marjorie

Marjorie,
It brings such joy to my soul this morning to read your comment. I am so thankful you added to this post such a great message of learning through adverstity. Everyone has a story and we never know what is going on behind the eyes and in the hearts of those we do not know, and even those we do. And yes Marjorie, you said it best, the power of prayer is truly amazing! How anyone lives with out daily communication with our Lord is beyond me. Even if He chooses not to answer our prayers the way we wish, He gives us the strength and courage to get through even the most difficult circumstances.

Wow, this message spoke to my heart. Not just because Marjorie is my mother but because of the first line written from the word “Behold, how good and how pleasant it for brothers to dwell together in unity!” It’s amazing to me because this is exactly what our preacher preached on at church yesterday, fellowship and friendship. I am sometimes a few days behind in reading your devotionals so when I read it this morning, I automatically thought back to yesterday’s sermon too.

The thing that I love the most of about God’s word, fellowship, prayer, etc. is that it can speak to each individual in a different way but have the same purpose. I, like my mother, always try to write a “year in review” letter with my holiday cards and it always seems to start off the same….another year has gone by, really? And I regret that I didn’t have more time for family, friends, bible studies, etc. It’s so difficult to find time for everything but I think I’ve realized that these relationships are vitally important in our lives. Not just because of what happened to Dad this year but that each of us has no “guarantee”.

Thank you Toni for the reminder of how beautiful our friendships are and that they are God given. I know that He has placed some amazing people in my life at just the right time that I needed them and I treasure them in my heart.

Thank you so much for such lovely thoughts. Don’t you just love it when God confirms something to us?! He’s really good at that!!
My prayer for all of us is to never squander a gift the Lord has given us. The gift of friendship is so very special to me because I do not have much family to speak of. Therefore, my friends mean even more to me than to most because they have become a family that God has put together.

Thank you again Kasi for sharing your heart and thoughts. I am ever so thankful your Dad is doing so well. Please hug that precious Mother of yours for me.

Thanks so much for your wise words, Toni! You said what I mean to say so often by my actions! I love to keep in touch, but even as I’ve reconnected, my Facebook friends number has gotten so large, I really cannot actually keep up! So I’ve tried to do as you are… keeping in touch in various ways– whatever works at the time! I hate to lose touch with friends I value as well. What a neat reminder as I read your words today!!
Many blessings on you, my sweet friend! So glad to be able to read what God is teaching you and the gifts He gave you to write so eloquently about them!!
Hugs to you!! And kudos too on another well written piece!

Tammy,
Thank you so much for your encouragement and for sharing your own stuggles in keeping in touch with those the Lord has placed in your care. If our hearts are in the right place, I know the Lord will give us what we need to keep in touch with, and bless those we care so much about.